Re: (SNES) Why can't I see it?

[Albireo54@aol.com]

In a message dated 7/23/01 9:09:31 PM Eastern Daylight Time, 
graywwoolf@msn.com writes:

<< Doug, I hate to burst your bubble of hydrogen gas... >>

Hi Dave,

Hydrogen gas? Is that what it was? No wonder the Alka-Seltzer didn't work!

<<The Helix is a breeze and the veil is easy. The hard part of the veil is 
tracing the entire circle of the veil. >>

I never said that these were difficult objects, Dave. (It's just that they 
can present unexpected challenges in certain scopes.) In fact, I routinely 
view the Helix in my 10 x 50 binoculars (from just about anywhere) and I have 
often seen sections of the Veil in 10 x 70's down at FDO and other dark 
sites. The Rosetta is also a snap, as are the North American and Pelican 
Nebulae. How strange that we can see such things in binoculars, when large 
scopes often struggle with them - note Joe's comments earlier about field of 
view. As I said, the Horsehead has been seen in some very small scopes, but 
the conditions have to be "just so". We have yet to push the limits of FDO's 
16", although several of us have viewed stars to at least magnitude 16.5 (in 
NGC 2158), far exceeding the standard limit for that scope.

<<Finding many objects are based on your eyesight, your visual acuity. I use
both eyes to detect detail, size and shape. >>

Yes, these things are true. Having decent eyesight helps in this hobby of 
ours. I don't know of many successful astronomers with poor vision.  :o)

<<Next is your ability to see. I eat sugary confections before I observe. I 
eat
carrots...LOL...for snacks. I breathe deeply and care for my night vision. I
rest between objects and take notes.>>

These make good suggestions (don't know about the carrots) for all observers, 
and they are things that folks like Les, Joe, I, and many others have been 
doing for years and years. (I eat less sugar, of course, after losing 97 
lbs.!) You left out three important ones. (1) Get your sleep - neither the 
brain nor the eyes can be expected to perform acrobatics if you're fatigued.  
(2) Stay warm and comfortable! If you're shivering and suffering from bad 
posture at the eyepiece, you may as well go home to bed. And (3), MOST 
important of all - especially for Joe Hartley - ALWAYS have a large thermos 
of hot coffee at the ready!  (There's a #4 as well -  buy a GOTO scope - but 
we needn't get into all that again. LOL)

Seriously, Dave, your ideas about successful observing techniques are 
excellent. Of course, everyone has their own systems, some of them time 
tested over MANY decades of observing. Les C. and I were active observers 
before you were even a twinkle in your parents eyes, so there's probably not 
a lot that we're going to come across that's new when it comes to observing 
technique. After all, we have over 90 years between us. (Saying this makes my 
back creak!)

At FDO, and here on SNES, we welcome the input of amateurs of all levels of 
experience. I believe that it is our ability to translate lifetimes of 
experience into useable guidance for the novice that really sets us apart as 
successful amateurs.  Having this new newsgroup up and running, supported 
primarily by the growing FDO family, is yet another way that we can help 
newcomers grow within the field, while still finding time to share heavy-duty 
observing experiences among us "old salts".

Let's hope for more clear skies this weekend!

Doug Stewart
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